LETTER: Closing Wharton roads isn’t right solution

Off-road vehicles illegally created roads and caused other damage on Jemima Mount, the highest point in Wharton State Forest in the New Jersey Pinelands. New signage will be posted by the state in hopes of preventing further damage(Photo: John Ziomek/Staff Photographer)Buy Photo

On Wednesday, Aug. 9, the Pinelands Commission will meet to vote on closing some roads in Wharton State Forest. I am a 77-year-old lifelong New Jersey resident. I served my country in the U.S. Navy. My hunting friend is a disabled vet. We have been hunting the Jersey pines for about 65 years. We hunt with a club that was incorporated in 1909. As a club, we have been hunting in the Wharton tract for 108 years.

The roads we use today were originally created in the 19th century, to haul cedar and sphagnum moss out of the swamps by horse and wagon. We don't do any more damage now than they did 150 years ago.

I know we all agree there is damage being done by a small percentage of the people that don't appreciate the gift we have in South Jersey. About 10 years ago, we had a problem with the illegal dumping of trash in our pines. The federal government provided the Park Police with cameras. In a short time, a few people were arrested and convicted, the fines were substantial. The problem was solved.

Today we have people with 4-wheel drive vehicles who refuse to obey the rules of the park. Anyone who uses the park knows where the damage is being done, and I am sure the Park Police know also. Rather than punish all the park users, put the cameras back in use. After a few people are fined and maybe a 90-day loss of their license, this problem will be solved.

Bill Andrews

Southampton

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